Farm—Brat Pack

Well, one major holiday has past and I can finally get back to more regular posts! This animal/bubble bath sketch has been sitting in my "to do" pile for a while—glad to be this close to scratching it off my list!

I was hesitating working on this because originally the necks of all the animals were going to be springs (similar to a simplistic slinky). While I like the idea—it was not working on the page. Instead I incorporated the "bean-like" torso shape that I used in the Rooster Racket Spread (11/30/08) on the cows/pigs. This resolved the neck issue.

The yellow sketch was the first concept (with the slinky necks). The one beside it (at right) was the streamlined version where I eliminated the turtle/horse and reworked the torso's. A cow, pig, sheep and duck seem like a better grouping for a "brat pack". The full color version at the top is close to complete, however, I am working on a "Snacktime" and "Naptime" illustration that is featuring the same characters and the same style. Ideally, when I have the other two developed to this stage I can line up all three, push the texture further toward a soft grit and pop in a few more patterns. I love droopy eyes—very sweet.